Food & Drink

Top Places To Eat Before The Show In Philadelphia

Philadelphia is home to many large arenas, concert stages, theaters and convention centers, and while nearly all offer some type of food on-site, it’s not always easy to find a place to eat before the start of an event. Try one of these nearby options for a quieter, less crowded meal before your show.

Located near the Sovereign Center, Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar has been featured on the Travel Channel. In addition to its normal fare, it hosts special events, such as the upcoming German-style Octoberfest, which will feature numerous specialty beers on tap and a variety of bottled beers. Founded by the son of Russian immigrants, the business has ties to The Green Terrace Hotel, which opened its doors in 1924 at South Mountain, Wernersville. In 1933, the current location opened. The menu features salads, soups, appetizers, Maryland crab cakes, lobster tail risotto, wienerschnitzel and a long list of other favorites.

The Ugly Oyster, an authentic Guinness Irish pub, is located near the Sovereign Center in Reading, PA. Considered to be the oldest pub in Berks County, it’s housed in a 1700s-era building. While the building has been home to a number of establishments over the years, it was transformed on St. Patrick’s Day, 2000, into the Ugly Oyster. Serving a variety of beers, single malt scotch, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, the menu features homemade soups, fresh salads, pub fare and many other choices.

With 24 beers on tap and the option to eat in or take out, Molly Malloy’s is the perfect spot for a meal before an event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this restaurant and bar also features a daily happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Molly Malloy’s foods are homemade and include breakfast items such as egg sandwiches, buttermilk pancakes and other morning favorites. The lunch and dinner menus include appetizers, soups, salads, sides, sandwiches and more.

Philly cheesesteaks and Italian hoagies are the stars at Carmen’s Famous Italian Hoagies and Cheesesteaks, located at the Reading Terminal Market. With more than 25 years of serving its famous subs, the business features salads, wraps, sandwiches, roasted vegetable sandwiches, Italian tuna and more. Seating is available, too.

Located in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Field House is considered to be one of the largest sports bars in the city. It offers 12,000 square feet of space and is equipped with more than 35 HDTVs, an excellent sound system and comfortable seating. The bar offers 40 local draughts, and the menu features American pub food. A perennial favorite menu item is its double-smoked bacon popcorn, but it’s also well known for its cheesesteak dumplings.

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